ASABA — Speaking at the opening of the Delta State Economic and Investment Summit on Monday, August 3, 2026, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, declared that Nigeria’s improving macroeconomic indicators have stabilized the economy and created a prime climate for domestic and foreign investments.
Addressing an audience of policymakers, private sector executives, and development partners in Asaba, Soludo emphasized that structural exchange rate realignments and growing national foreign exchange reserves have positioned sub-national economies—such as Anambra and Delta states—to attract long-term capital.
Macroeconomic Recovery and Financial Discipline
Reflecting on fiscal management in Anambra State, Soludo explained his decision to avoid external borrowing and withdraw from non-essential loan programs during earlier periods of high exchange rate volatility:
- Fiscal Strategy: Soludo revealed that since assuming office, Anambra has not borrowed funds and voluntarily withdrew from the World Bank NG-CARES program due to structural currency risks that made foreign-denominated obligations unpredictable.
- Reserves and FX Stability: Highlighting key national indicators, the former Central Bank Governor noted that net foreign exchange reserves have expanded significantly to over $40 billion, with gross reserves approaching $52 billion—reversing previous capital flight trends.
- Sub-National Opportunities: Soludo stressed that stable exchange rate fundamentals provide a predictable environment for state governments to secure private investments without over-relying on federal statutory allocations.
Anambra-Delta Economic Synergy and Regional Trade
Characterizing Anambra and Delta as “twin economic hubs” linked by trade, cultural ties, and the Second Niger Bridge, Soludo called for deeper integration between the two neighboring states:
“Delta and Anambra are like twin cities, much like New York and New Jersey. We are actively building an economic free-trade zone powered by an aerotropolis, and we must continue to synergize.”
— Gov. Chukwuma Charles Soludo
He urged summit organizers and state governments to focus on concrete deal-making rather than ceremonial discussions, advocating for a consolidated national “Marshall Plan” to translate macroeconomic progress into job creation and poverty reduction.
Domestic Production & Akwete Local Content Advocacy
Reiterating his long-standing commitment to indigenous industries, Governor Soludo challenged Nigerians to prioritize Made-in-Nigeria products as an immediate driver of employment generation:
- Promoting Akwete Weaving: Dressed in his trademark Akwete fabric, Soludo shared how his continuous adoption of the locally woven textile since 2019 has boosted local production and expanded incomes for women weavers in Akwete.
- Employment Creation: The governor commended the First Lady’s recent $\text{N}2\text{ billion}$ intervention to scale up Akwete cloth production, estimating that a deliberate national shift toward consuming locally manufactured goods could generate over ten million jobs across the country.
Summit Speech Summary
EVENT: Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 (Asaba)
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo (Governor of Anambra State)
HOST GOVERNOR: Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State)
CORE HIGHLIGHTS: $52B gross FX reserves, zero state borrowing policy, Anambra-Delta free-trade zone
LOCAL CONTENT CALL: 10 Million+ jobs via Made-in-Nigeria clothing & Akwete fabric adoption
